Solar Powered Transmission: a Case Study from South Sudan
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Figure 1 – Solar Panels, viewed from above Solar Powered Transmission: A Case Study from South Sudan By Issa Kassimu, Natalie Chang and Ann Charles On behalf of The Radio Community and Internews Version 1.0, November 2016 About The Radio Community The Radio Community (TRC) is a network of community radio stations in South Sudan that reach an estimated 2.1 million potential listeners. These include Mayardit FM in Turalei, Warrap State; Nhomlaau FM in Malualkon, Northern Bahr el Ghazal State; Singaita FM in Kapoeta, Eastern Equatoria State; Mingkaman FM in Awerial County, Lakes State; and Nile FM in Malakal, Upper Nile State (operated in partnership with Internews’ Humanitarian Information Services). Stations in Leer and Nasir are currently off-air due to conflict. About Internews Internews is an international non-profit organization whose mission is to empower local media worldwide to give people the news and information they need, the ability to connect and the means to make their voices heard. Internews provides communities the resources to produce local news and information with integrity and independence. With global expertise and reach, Internews trains both media professionals and citizen journalists, introduces innovative media solutions, increases coverage of vital issues and helps establish policies needed for open access to information. Internews operates internationally, with administrative centers in California, Washington DC, and London, as well as regional hubs in Bangkok and Nairobi. Formed in 1982, Internews has worked in more than 90 countries, and currently has offices in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Latin America and North America. Internews Network is registered as a 501(c)3 organization in California, EIN 94-302-7961. Internews Europe is registered in England and Wales as a Charity no. 1148404 and Company no. 7891107. Internews Network and Internews Europe operate cooperatively with independent boards of directors. US Offices: 876 7th St. 1133 15th St. NW, Suite 350 Arcata, CA 95521 USA Washington, DC 20005 USA +1 707 826-2030 + 1 202 833-5740 European Office: New City Cloisters, 196 Old Street, London, EC1V 9FR, United Kingdom +44 (0)207 566 3300 Email: [email protected] www.internews.org Twitter: @internews facebook.com/internews This publication is made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents are the responsibility of Internews and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government. Executive Summary Renewable forms of energy have been increasing in popularity over the last few years. Though interest is high, few radio stations are using solar power due to fears of the cost and complexity involved. This document takes an in-depth look at the conversion to 100% solar power operation at a small community radio station called Mayardit FM in Turalei, South Sudan. Since the installation of the solar system in March 2016, the station has operated on 100% solar power (including its transmission), broadcasting up to 16 hours a day, every day of the week. To date, the system has had zero downtime. This report was written to share learning with others who may be considering whether solar power would be suitable for their station(s). The first section describes the South Sudan context, background, and purpose of the project. The second section provides a case study of the solar power conversion at Mayardit FM, including technical specifications, user-centered design considerations, costings, and lessons learned from the first months of operation. The third section serves as a “how to” manual, which can be used by anyone interested in designing a solar system and weighing its feasibility for their own radio station. Based on results through October 2016, the key findings are: • The upfront, capital costs are significantly more expensive than an equivalent site using a diesel generator. • The annual running costs are 92.8% cheaper than an equivalent diesel-powered site. • The combined project cost over five years will save around $5,2001 compared to a standard generator-powered site2. • The benefits of solar are likely to be more dramatic after 5 years, although the future cost projections are trickier to estimate3. • Mayardit FM has now doubled its weekday hours on air – from 8 to 16 hours per week day. • Other stations are encouraged to consider solar power if their annual running costs are more than the equivalent solar costs and they can raise the upfront capital. • It is possible to run a radio station and its transmitter 24/7 on solar power. However, stations at different latitudes or with access to grid electricity are also encouraged to review the equivalent costings for 12/7 and 18/7 running to see where the “tipping point” between cost of panels versus annual cash savings will come for their site. • The site has only been fully operational for 8 months. This report should be updated in Q2 2017 to provide longer-term costings and feedback. • Beyond financial savings, the system has resulted in significant intangible benefits, such as positive community engagement and ease of maintenance by station staff, who can now focus on programming instead of worrying about day-to-day operations. The stability of the solar system and the fuel independence it affords are already proving invaluable. • There has been no system downtime to date. 1 $96,000 for this specific project, due to donated and re-used equipment. See also the important caveats in ‘A note on costings and financial savings’. 2 For more detailed costings, see ‘Review & Analysis’. 3 Very tentative projections can be found in ‘Appendix 7. Longer-term cost projections’. Solar Powered Transmission: A Case Study from South Sudan Page 3 of 62 © Internews 2016 Table of Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................................ 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS .................................................................................................. 4 TABLE OF FIGURES ..................................................................................................... 6 INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................... 7 Who is this document for? ............................................................................................................................... 9 A note on costings and financial savings ......................................................................................................... 9 A note on terminology .................................................................................................................................... 9 SECTION ONE - CONTEXT & PURPOSE SOUTH SUDAN: THE POWER PROBLEM ......................................................................... 10 INTERNEWS SOLAR POWER PILOT PROJECTS ................................................................. 12 MAYARDIT FM ........................................................................................................ 13 SECTION TWO - TURALEI SOLAR PROJECT CASE STUDY TURALEI SOLAR PROJECT DESIGN ............................................................................... 15 Solar Project Goals ......................................................................................................................................... 15 System Principles ........................................................................................................................................... 15 Block Diagrams .............................................................................................................................................. 16 SOLAR PROJECT TIMELINE ......................................................................................... 21 REVIEW & ANALYSIS ................................................................................................ 23 Overall assessment to date/summary ............................................................................................................ 23 Cost Analysis .................................................................................................................................................24 System uptime/downtime data ...................................................................................................................... 28 Maintenance and Longevity ........................................................................................................................... 28 Social Acceptance, User Experience, and Human-Centered Design................................................................29 LESSONS FOR FUTURE PROJECTS ................................................................................ 31 Solar Powered Transmission: A Case Study from South Sudan Page 4 of 62 © Internews 2016 SECTION THREE - HOW-TO MANUAL MANUAL FOR SOLAR SYSTEM DESIGN & SIZING ............................................................. 33 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................... 33 Major system components ............................................................................................................................. 33 Solar PV system sizing ..................................................................................................................................